Soldiers earn an Army marksmanship badge by passing the weapon qualification course with their assigned weapon and reaching one of three levels: Marksman, Sharpshooter or Expert. The level depends on how many targets they hit. Most soldiers first qualify during basic training, and the badge has to be earned again over time.
The scoring levels
The standard rifle course uses 40 targets. The level a soldier reaches depends on how many they hit, and there are three levels:
- Marksman, the entry level
- Sharpshooter, the middle level
- Expert, the highest level
Many guides quote specific cut-off scores for each level. Those figures come from published guides rather than the current manual, and they change when the course changes. Check the current qualification course document before relying on any number.
Who earns the badge and when
Qualification is part of the normal training cycle. Most soldiers first qualify during basic training, when they learn the weapon and fire the course for the first time. A soldier who qualifies with another weapon, such as the pistol or machine gun, can earn a separate badge, and each weapon is shown with its own clasp.
Officers and enlisted soldiers can both qualify. Who wears the badge is a separate question, covered below.
What the course involves
The course fires at stationary and pop-up targets at several distances, from several firing positions. One published account describes four positions: kneeling supported, unsupported prone, supported prone and unsupported standing. The course has been revised, so an older guide may describe a different layout. The current manual sets the exact positions, time limits and scoring rules.
Requalification and wearing the badge
The Army marksmanship badge is not a permanent award. A soldier who re-qualifies at a different level has the badge changed to match the newer result. Requalification applies, but the timing and rules are set in current Army regulations, so check there rather than relying on one guide’s schedule.
Wear rules are set out in Army Pamphlet 670-1, the Army’s guide to uniforms and insignia. It also sets limits on how many qualification badges and clasps can be worn at once.
Civilians and other programs
Army marksmanship badges go to soldiers and a few other groups. Civilians can earn the same design through the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), which awards Army marksmanship qualification badges to civilians who meet the Army’s standards. The NRA and other organizations run their own qualification programs with different badges, and a badge from one program is not the same as an Army badge.
Where to check the current rules
For the current course, check the Army’s rifle and carbine training circular (TC 3-22.9). For award rules, check the Army awards regulation (AR 600-8-22). Both are revised over time, so use the edition in force, not an older guide or a seller’s description.
The three levels also differ in their central designs, which helps when identifying an older badge. The history of US marksmanship badges covers the design changes and the clasps you may see. For a wider view of Army insignia, see the guide to military patches, badges and insignia.